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Gabba Gallery is delighted to start the new year with four stellar solo shows featuring Nina Palomba, Stephen Levey, Jennifer Verge, and Pastey Whyte. Curated by JasonOstro and ElenaJacobson.

Nina Palomba entices us with Nini’sWeenies--a tasty combination of Japanese Pop Culture and Americana. Combining street style photography and Pop Art, this solo exhibition by Nina Palomba is one to dig into and enjoy to the last colorful bite. Fast cars, pin-up girls and of course the hot dog, these deep roots of American tradition and lifestyle have inspired people across the globe. Nina traveled to Tokyo to create, work and develop an immersive experience that combines popular American cartoon icons with a touch of Japanese flair. This fresh perspective on pop culture and the effects of American nostalgia showcases a new side of Nina’s work and a perspective of Japanese culture that will make you feel right at home.

A 4th generation Angeleno, StephenLevey has undoubtedly developed an eye for the beauty the City of Angels has to offer, and it shows in his solo show titled After. Strictly using an iPhone, Levey pushes the boundaries of what’s expected from a phone camera, and has even gained attention from the Apple team for his work. Dazzling black and white photographs narrate the story of a desolate, romanticized LA, over to the decaying vehicles left in desert on the outskirts. See outstanding popular landmarks, as well as delicate details easily missed. Visit the show and you’ll see the world a little differently, After.

Get out of your comfort zone with Jennifer Verge’s solo show titled NakedTruth. Verge is a Canadian born visual artist with a distinct urban industrial pop art style that incorporates mixed media, assemblage, and powerful messages. With a love for using power tools, she came into her style incorporating found and recycled objects into her work, giving it a rustic yet nuanced appeal. Making use of uplifting text, it’s apparent that the artist sees the world with a bright side, and even states that she is inspired by people who “really live the hell out of life” and aims to transfer that call to adventure to her viewers through her work.

Pastey Whyte takes us on a journey in his solo exhibit titled “Hand Painted Pop” – a title borrowed from a traveling MOCA exhibit of the from the early 90’s featuring artists such as Warhol, Lichtenstein, Twombly, Johns, and Rauschenberg. Pastey was living in Chicago at the time, and felt called to develop his own voice of “hand painted” imagery. Pulling media and content from museum pamphlets, ticket stubs, vintage ads and social imagery of men and women, down to drawings and writings from his daughter, Pastey Whyte pulls together a personal yet universally relatable narrative about what it means to be an American, living in America, at this point in time.

All four shows open January 12 and will be on view through February 2. The opening night reception takes place Saturday, Jan 12 from 7-11pm. The event is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. DJ Jonathan Williams spinning. Bar sponsored by Humboldt Distillery and Auspicion Wine. Free parking behind 3125 Beverly Blvd. (enter off Dillon).Gabba Gallery is located at 3126 Beverly Blvd. After the opening, normal gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday 12-3pm.